James Vincent Scholarship in Agricultural Microbiology (Supplementary)

1. Background

a. This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to postgraduate research students who are undertaking research into the application of microbiology to agriculture, food and milk production,

b. This Scholarship is funded by the philanthropic donation made by former students and colleagues to honour Emeritus Professor James Vincent who, between 1936 and 1966, reached the level of Associate Professor in Microbiology at the University of Sydney and was Professor of Microbiology at the University of New South Wales from 1966 to 1973.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicants must have an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled to study full-time in a PhD within the School of Life and Environmental Sciences (SOLES) at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must be a recipient of a primary scholarship from the University of Sydney that provides a stipend allowance.

c. Applicants must be willing or currently undertaking research in the application of microbiology to agriculture, food and milk production.

3. Selection Criteria

a. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the basis of:

I. academic merit,
II. the research proposal which outlines the connection to the application of microbiology to agriculture, food and milk production, and
III. a personal statement demonstrating the importance of funding to the applicant’s research.

a. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of a selection committee consisting of the Dean of the Faculty of Science and the Head of School – SOLES, or their nominee(s).

4. Value

a. The Scholarship will provide an annual supplementary stipend allowance of $8,000 (fixed rate) for up to three years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

b. No extension of Scholarship is permitted.

c. Periods of study already undertaken towards the degree prior to the commencement of the Scholarship, will be deducted from the maximum duration of the Scholarship.

d. The Scholarship is for commencement in relevant research period in which it is offered for and cannot be deferred without the prior permission of the Dean of the Faculty of Science, their nominee, or transferred to another area of research.

e. No other amount is payable.

f. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funding.

5. Eligibility for Progression

a. Progression is subject to attending and passing the annual progress evaluation.

6. Leave Arrangements

a. The same conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary stipend scholarship, excluding any additional sick leave and parental leave.

7. Research Overseas

a. The same conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary scholarship.

8. Suspension

a. The same conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary scholarship.

9. Changes in Enrolment

a. The Scholarship recipient must notify HDRAC and their supervisor promptly of any planned changes to their enrolment including but not limited to: attendance pattern, suspension, leave of absence, withdrawal, course transfer, and candidature upgrade or downgrade. If the award holder does not provide notice of the changes identified above, the University may require repayment of any overpaid stipend.

10. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated:

I. on resignation or withdrawal of the recipient from their research degree,
II. upon submission of the thesis or at the end of the award,
III. if the recipient ceases to be a full-time student and prior approval has not been obtained to hold the Scholarship on a part-time basis,
IV. upon the recipient having completed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy,
V. on receipt of another supplementary stipend scholarship(s) that increases the overall supplementary amount paid to a student to more than 75% of the primary amount. In such circumstances, the supplementary stipend scholarship of the higher value prevails,
VI. if the recipient does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or
VII. if the recipient ceases to meet the eligibility requirements specified for this Scholarship, (other than during a period in which the Scholarship has been suspended or during a period of approved leave).

b. The Scholarship may also be terminated by the University before this time if, in the opinion of the University:

I. the course of study is not being carried out with competence and diligence or in accordance with the terms of this offer,
II. the student fails to maintain satisfactory progress, or
III. the student has committed misconduct or other inappropriate conduct.

c. The Scholarship will be suspended throughout the duration of any enquiry/appeal process.

d. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error.

11. Misconduct

a. Where during the Scholarship a student engages in misconduct, or other inappropriate conduct (either during the Scholarship or in connection with the student’s application and eligibility for the Scholarship), which in the opinion of the University warrants recovery of funds provided, the University may require the student to repay payments made in connection with the Scholarship. Examples of such conduct include and without limitation; academic dishonesty, research misconduct within the meaning of the Research Code of Conduct 2023 (for example, plagiarism in proposing, carrying out or reporting the results of research, or failure to declare or manage a serious conflict of interests), breach of the Student Charter 2020 and misrepresentation in the application materials or other documentation associated with the Scholarship.

b. The University may require such repayment at any time during or after the Scholarship period. In addition, by accepting this Scholarship, the student consents to all aspects of any investigation into misconduct in connection with this Scholarship being disclosed by the University to the funding body and/or any relevant professional body.